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Anne Arundel County Rescue Center Under Investigation For Animal Abuse

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) -- Rescued from an animal rescue. Dozens of sick cats are safe as Anne Arundel County Police investigate the hoarding at a Severna Park organization.

Andrea Fujii has the story.

It was neighbors who complained about the horrible smell. Inside, officers found 69 cats -- two were dead.

The cats are recovering after Anne Arundel County Animal Control took them out of Cool Cats Rescue in Severna Park Wednesday morning.

"The animals all had fleas, all had ear mites and all had medical conditions," said Robin Small with Anne Arundel County Animal Control.

Officers say the animals were walking in feces and there was no food or water readily available.

No one answered at Cool Cats, but the next door bridge club is all too familiar with the smell.

"Just very foul, like something rotting," said bridge player Kitty Smith.

It was neighbor complaints that brought Cool Cats to Animal Control's attention. The bridge players say the blinds were always down and they could only see the cats through the cracks.

Neighbor Vernele Marsh adopted one of the cats.

"They didn't let me in. I gave them a check and I didn't think anything of it," said Marsh.

Cool Cats' current license expired, which means at one point they had passed an inspection.

"They may have started out with good intentions to rescue animals, but it got beyond that and there are strict rules and regulations," said Anne Arundel County Executive John Leopold.

Their empty office now gives comfort to people who walk by everyday.

"It only has one way to go -- better," said Smith.

Animal Control is still investigating to see what charges, if any, should be filed.

The rescued cats may be up for adoption in a few weeks. In the meantime, Anne Arundel Animal Control hopes the public will adopt out their 125 other cats they're already housing.

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